Spare ribs

* Spare ribs, also called "spareribs" or "side ribs", are taken from the belly side of the rib cage, below the section of back ribs and above the sternum . Spare ribs are flatter and contain more bone than meat. There is also quite a bit of fat which can make the ribs more tender than back ribs. The origin of the name "spare ribs" is not certain, but could be related to the spare amount of meat after the belly is removed.

* St. Louis Style ribs spare ribs are spare ribs where the sternum bone, cartilage, and rib tips have been removed. The shape is almost rectangular.

* Kansas City style ribs are trimmed even more closely than the St. Louis style ribs, and have the hard bone removed.